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Words About the Word​~*~​Book Reviews

The coming of age story, Son of Promise, by Caryl McAdoo, grabbed this reviewer from the very first sentence. Mrs. McAdoo does have a way with words. Her writing enables the reader to dive into the waving grasslands of Texas and lose themselves in the story.

Travis “Buck” Buckmeyer and his wife Emma Lee remain childless after years of trying. Out of the blue, Travis’ past catches up with him when he discovers his son from a one night stand needs a home. Only one problem, Buck hasn’t shared that bit of his story with his wife Emma. Although her arms ache for a baby, she goes along with Travis like every good wife should, but with uncertainty. Will this work out? After all, Travis’ "blow-by" boy is twelve years old and likely emotionally scarred.

Cody Wigglesworth sits in a holding area waiting for his “where-have-you-been-all-my-life” father to pick him up and give him a home. His no account, drunken slut of a mother dumped him leaving the lad bitter and suspicious. Will these two people accept him? Did he even care? Maybe he will give it a try, then head out if he doesn’t like the arrangement.

Do Emma Lee and Travis have a clue what they’re letting themselves in for? This was bound to be one tough, rough ride for them, but they’ve got one huge advantage. God’s embedded in their hearts and lives so they meet the challenge head on—with kindness and overflowing familial love. Exactly what love starved Cody needs.

Son of Promise is definitely a Christian novel laced with Scripture passages, prayers, visions, and other gifts of the Holy Spirit giving this book a decidedly Christian and Pentecostal flavor.This book has no on scene intimacies or cursing. It's not sanitized in that it's characters are tempted, fail, then repent learning from the experience. It’s a story of redemption, and conquering familial love; of truth, and lies; and of moral choices resulting in consequences. It contrasts life lived by instinct with a life lived by faith tracing the progress of a throw away kid to a responsible teenager oozing integrity. Cody’s character migrates from a resentful teen, to a cherished Son of Promise, who in the process has gained eyes for a lovely girl, Cindy, but that’s another story.

Son of Promise kept this reviewer awake far past her bedtime. Son of Promise is a thoughtful, well written, insightful novel of loss, overcoming, hope, and familial love. Buy it, you’ll not be sorry. Here's the pre-order link.